Tag: Eric Benaim

Since Amazon’s pullout last week, Messrs. Van Bramer and Gianaris have been admonished by public-housing tenants who hoped to land jobs at the campus and supporters who saw the tech giant’s arrival as a boost for Long Island City. “I don’t know where you go from here,” he said. “Jimmy Van Bramer and Mike Gianaris used to be the politicians we came to when we needed help,” the statement said. Mr. Gianaris’s nomination to a state board with sway over the tax incentives also fueled Amazon’s decision. The company said Thursday that some politicians “made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project.” Mr. Van Bramer, a two-term councilman, said Tuesday that he knew opposing Amazon could hurt his political future. Mr. Van Bramer read the polls showing many Queens residents backed the deal. But he said he spoke with residents, many of whom had mixed feelings. He ultimately went with his conscience, he said. But after the Amazon deal ended, he said, “New York will be just fine.” Justin Potter, a 39-year-old Long Island City resident, said he created the website DefeatGianaris.com on Thursday, hours after Amazon’s announcement. While she was angry at Amazon for leaving, she put a lot of the blame on the elected officials opposing the deal, she said.